GNLP2015

We object on the grounds of:
1. Poor access to site, which will also interfere with access to our property.
2. Narrow country lane,unsuitable for extra traffic volume, created by proposed extra housing in the village and local area.
3. The proposed site floods following seasonal heavy rainfall and bad weather, ditches and dykes around this site cannot cope with the volume of surface water,draining down the hill onto the proposed site and therefore the site floods,and takes a prolonged period of time to drain away.
4. Our property, and the proposed site, have a high water table, are below road level, and are prone to flooding.
5.To our knowledge there are no mains sewers for the proposed site to be connected to.

The Parish Council consider this the best small site proposed for development under GNLP. If developed it would be an extension of the hamlet tradition prevalent in Bergh Apton, because the village is widely dispersed.
It would lie between the Hillview development to the south and Town Farmhouse to the north and is therefore not a development in isolation.
The Parish Council do not agree with the comments of the HELAA. It has good access to services as follows: Mains drainage, the Church, the HWRC and bus service.
Due to its situation on private land it does not affect any views of the church. It is some distance from the nearest SSSI, with Hillview, the HWRC and a field for grazing horses in between.

Bergh Apton has narrow roads, no footways and a poor bus service. None of the four sites have the main sewer nearby adding to development costs, this additional cost ultimately passes to house purchaser. Fibre broadband accessibility is poor and mobile signal is sporadic. Climate change is a major player in our futures and accordingly should play a major part in planning decisions. Lack of local amenities results in reliance on car travel. Low cost suburban housing close to shops and amenities is more sensible and allows future generations enjoyment of the green open spaces that we ourselves have enjoyed.

GNLP2117/Cooke's Road/Object
This site is not reasonable accessible to a range of services. The Village Hall is adjacent. There is an infrequent bus service along The Street and Threadneedle Street. The school is in Alpington, which is a mile away. BER1, to the south of Cookes Road was completed in 2017. Drainage issues were anticipated by objectors and have occurred.
The nearest mains drainage is 600 mtr from this site. This site is part of the ancient parkland which stretches for over 1 km to the north of Cooke's Road and Threadneedle Street, from Bergh Apton Manor in the west to Washingford House in the east.

Summary:
Development of this site would be a disaster, because it would change the character of the village, which is spread out into hamlets.

GNLP2015/SL0007/Town Farm/Comment.
I do not agree with HELAA's comments. The very nature of Bergh Apton is ,that it is spread out. There is no consensus as to where the Village Centre is, or that it even exists. This site is between Hillview and Town Farm and it's development would create a little hamlet. It is served by the following:- Church, an infrequent bus service, HWRC,Mains drainage available,Thurton School is approximately 1 mile. There would be no effect on views of the church, unless you count views from Town Farm field looking to the east, by Mr. Harris. Between this site and the nearest SSSI there is Hillview, Scop Hill, the HWRC,a road and a field used for grazing horses. Regarding the highway issue, this road is similar to most roads in Bergh Apton:- narrow and winding.

Summary:-
I believe that the GNLP are looking for small sites. Of all sites submitted so far in Bergh Apton ,it is this 5 dwelling application that best suits the nature of Bergh Apton.

The Parish Council wish to make some general comments re the additional sites proposed. The site specific comments have already been uploaded.
Bergh Apton was classified as a "Rural Service Village" under the Joint Core Structure and was allocated 2 sites for estate development. BER1 is to the south of Cooke's Road. It is now known as Hawthorn Drive and was completed at the end of 2017. BER2 is to the east of The Street and to the south of Dodgers Lane. Some starts were made, but at present it is dormant.

Bergh Apton is now classified under the GNLP. as an "Other" Village. There is no primary school in Bergh Apton, Alpington School is more than a mile from all the submitted sites, and it can only be reached via narrow country roads, without pavements.

Bergh Apton lacks the appropriate infrastructure to support further estate development. There is a lack of employment opportunities.

We consider that development should be concentrated in Norwich and close to it, thereby taking advantage of it's infrastructure. Recently some very large brownfield sites have become available. Also the Broadland Northway has been completed.
I would be grateful if these comments could be considered in conjunction with the site specific comments.